Is it Wrong to 3 Foul?

Is it wrong to 3 foul an opponent?

  • No,i would 3 foul anyone in a tournament,cash,or other.

    Votes: 182 91.0%

  • Yes,its a chicken $hit way to win.

    Votes: 7 3.5%

  • Wouldn't do it to a friend.

    Votes: 11 5.5%
  • Total voters
    200
I think two of the choices are too extreme for me, so I chose "wouldn't do it to a friend". That's not true either though, but it was the closest option available. :)

Unfortunately, in my opinion, your friend seems to be ignorant about the defensive aspect of the game. Due to his ignorance, he is reacting in an unsportsmanlike way, etc. Whether one likes the 3-foul rule or not, it is currently part of the game in most tournaments, and it is not easy to get a good player on 3D. If he ever takes the time to understand this, hopefully he will apologize to you for acting the way he did.

It is rare that I get fouled out of a game, but when it happens, I typically tell my opponent "well done", because it's true. I don't let it be a blow to my ego. It does not have to be humiliating.

Now, the problem arises, I think, when there is a really weak player against a really strong player. Say the weak player is a "D" and the strong player is an "A". Let's say the strong player is having a bad day and can't get in stroke and has already sold out a few 9-balls to the "D" player. The weaker player is now on the hill and the stronger player needs 4 games to win. The stronger player feels like he can 3-foul the weak player all day long.

Would it be wrong for the "A" player to attempt to come back and win the match by repeatedly fouling the "D" player out? This might be the choice I'd want in the poll... "wouldn't do it repeatedly to a weak player". Basically, I feel OK 3-fouling people in general. It's not easy; it's part of the rules, etc. However, if it were a really weak player who seems to be a nice person, for some reason it begins to feel like a gray area to me. I'm not so sure I'd want to continuously take advantage of this rule in that situation, especially if it were a cheap weekly tournament.

So I answered, "wouldn't do it to a friend". That's not necessarily true though. It's more like, "I wouldn't do it repeatedly to a weak player who I'm on good terms with and is a good sport". Something like that.

EDIT: I actually ended up choosing "i would 3 foul anyone in a tournament,cash,or other.", because I guess that's still not to say I'd do it all day long to anyone.
 
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I was 3 fouled in my very first money game by my own damn teammate and teacher. His excuse, "You shoulda ran out when you had the chance." LOL! Well I can't say I didn't learn something.
 
supergreenman said:
I think it's an outdated rule. But as long as it's a rule I'm willing to use it to win.

The 3 foul rule is the primary reason I learned different kicking systems so it's been a positive influence on me.
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Why would it be outdated? It prevents stalemates. I don't understand how it could be outdated.
 
it would be a bad way to win if u're playing for fun, but if u're in a tournament then whats wrong with it? it's not like u broke his hand or something so it's not ur fault he cant hit the object ball.

dont see why he's mad cuz he would have lost anyways, plus he scratched on the break. when u scratch on the break u shouldnt expect to get back to the table anyways. if he's really that upset and doesnt consider u a friend any more cuz u beat him in 1 game of 9 ball then hand him a tissue, tell him to cry somewhere else and never play in a tournament again.
 
Your "friend" either knows nothing about high-quality 9-ball, thinks its a punk move to punt on fourth and 8, or he just can't take losing. You're supposed to keep them racking or kicking! What other good way is there to end an innning in 9-ball?
 
as has already been touched on in this thread, i hate playing people who don't understand there is a huge defensive and strategical part of the game too. fine if they don't want to play it, but don't give me shit if want to play the game properly. drives me mad when you play a safe and you hear comments like, "playing dirty now are we". pfffff!
 
I would do it under any circumstances. When my friends and I are playing we treat it as a serious competition. It is a good practice and habit in preparing for real tournaments. I would not expect my opponent, friend or not, to 'lighten up on me'.
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
Actually, among friends, my favorite is when they do a kick-masse-jump 153 rails around the table and brush the 1-ball only to not contact a rail.
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You play with Fast Larry ?!?!? wow !

Dave
 
Your buddy is being a feminine vaginal cleansing device for taking a LEGAL loss so hard. He needs to man up or find another way to spend his free time instead of playing pool. I've been 3 fouled before and I have done it to others. Just part of the game.
 
fatrascal said:
I would do it under any circumstances. When my friends and I are playing we treat it as a serious competition. It is a good practice and habit in preparing for real tournaments. I would not expect my opponent, friend or not, to 'lighten up on me'.
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I used to lighten up at times...now it's full time both barrels blazing from me...no matter who I play it's "Bring it punk!!"...LOLz


Jude Rosenstock said:
I would like to know who here likes winning more than losing?

All who like to win, STAND UP and SAY, "AYE!"
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AYE!!!
 
Dead Money said:
Your buddy is being a feminine vaginal cleansing device for taking a LEGAL loss so hard. He needs to man up or find another way to spend his free time instead of playing pool. I've been 3 fouled before and I have done it to others. Just part of the game.
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"Feminine vaginal" is redundant.

or, so I hope.
 
Yes, it is always wrong to win by 3-fouling your opponent.

It is also wrong to win by breaking and running out, or by making the 9 on the break.

I'm surprised you didn't know that. :p
 
I started playing pool, total offence. I have learned over the years that safety's are a big and important part of the game. However if you are not good enough to get after two ball in hands then you should put your cue up. I know that most avid players to not agree with me. I feel when you 3 foul someone you are doing it more to humiliate them instead of just beating them. Maybe that's why some people choose to do that, they don't have enough confidence to get out. They would rather rub it your face, very sportsman like. With that being said I'm sure there are situation out there that you may have a play serveral safety's in a game. All in a row???????? THAT"S YOUR CHOICE
 
Would you consider this situation to be "dirty"? a couple of years ago in a usppa tournament there was a match between a fairly good one pocket player and a girl that i knew. the race was 7-5 or 4 where the guy had to go to 7. His runout ability is not really that great but his safeties were strong, we all sat there and watched him 3 foul her 7 games in a row...
 
I've lost a 9 ball match on the 3 foul rule. I did not like, I also thought it was chicken shit cause the other player was better. But......that was when I was very new to playing in tournaments.

Since then I play smarter. Like after the foul your friend got, he should thought about the possibilty of 3 foul loss. If the balls were clustered like you said, I would have broken up the cluster the best I could have hoping to get some balls in the rails or clusters or something. I mean either way its cue ball in hand. Maybe by breaking the cluster you mentioned would have but the OB in the open but not a easy shot on it or others in the rack. Sometimes being aggressive is the thing to do.
 
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